What’s the Argument?

Subject: ELA (English Language Arts)

Lesson Length: 45 mins - 1 hour

Topic: Argument Identification

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12, 9

Standards / Framework:

Brief Description: Students will be able to identify an argument, as well as persuasive elements of an argument in a given passage.

Know Before You Start: Students should be familiar with language techniques and literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and analogies.

Hook:

Ask students:
- “Why do people argue?”
- “When was the last argument you had, and what was it about?”
- “Have you ever had to persuade someone to see things from your point of view? How did you do it?”

Activity:

Have students brainstorm and create a concept map to help define the term argument by listing ideas and related words associated with it on the board.
In pairs, have students brainstorm and identify language techniques like metaphors, similes, or analogies used to make arguments more persuasive.
Have students create a scenario for a comic that revolves around an argument, including characters, a setting, as well as a clear argument or disagreement.
Using the sample comic as a guide, have students create a comic displaying the argument between the characters in the chosen setting, making sure to include multiple language techniques.

Closure:

Have students share their comics with the class or in small groups.
Have students explain the argument central to the comic, as well as the techniques each character used.
Emphasize the importance of being able to identify arguments as a critical reading and critical thinking skill.

Differentiation:

Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
Pre-teach vocabulary or provide vocabulary definitions, e.g., simile, metaphor, analogy.
Allow students time to work on the concept map individually, prior to sharing as a class.

Resources:

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